A tribute to the pioneer Saint-Exupéry
If Jules Vernes Trophy while the crewed round-the-world record has a trophy, the solo round-the-world record has no trophy. However, several sailors have sailed around the globe solo: Francis Joyon and Ellen Mac Arthur in 2004 and 2005, and more recently Thomas Coville and François Gabart in 2016 and 2017.
The Ultim' Class has therefore agreed on a name for this circumnavigation, which will now be called the "T rophée Antoine de Saint-Exupéry "or more commonly, the Saint-Exupéry Trophy. An analogy between the pioneer that was Saint-Exupéry and the pioneers that are the Ultimate skippers.
"Saint-Exupéry was both an author and an airplane pilot, and as such, he opened up airways. He was a pioneer! Ultimates skippers and the Ultimates themselves are opening ways since we have gone from archimedean mode to flight mode and have completed solo circumnavigations of the globe, like Thomas Coville or François Gabart and are once again preparing to sail around the world solo." explains Emmanuel Bachellerie, general delegate of the Ultim 32/23 Class.
The Saint-Ex' Trophy was supposed to take place this Saturday, December 8, at the Nautic, but in view of the events taking place in the Paris area, it has been postponed. "It will be done at first sight at the very beginning of the year" says Emmanuel without specifying the exact date.
This trophy was to be presented to Thomas Coville by Hervé de Saint-Exupéry (fighter pilot and descendant of the famous aviator-writer). Thomas Coville had beaten Francis Joyon's record from 2008 in December 2016. The Sodebo skipper was then to pass it on to François Gabart, the new record-holder aboard his trimaran Macif in 2017 (in 42 days 16 hours 40 minutes and 35 seconds).
Two trophies, two starting lines
The starting and finishing line of the Jules Verne Trophy is an imaginary line linking the Créac'h lighthouse on the island of Ushant and the Lizard Cape lighthouse in England. And it was to be the same for the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Trophy. But to allow the skippers of Brest Océans to attempt the record and for a better readability, the Ultim class has asked that the line be moved. This decision was accepted by the WSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council), the organization that approves sailing records.
"The starting line of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Trophy has been lowered and is now located off the Brest Narrows. This allows the Brest Océans competitors to attempt the record by participating in the race, even if it will seem difficult since the route will be longer. In the race, we have constraints of exclusion zones of the ice gates which will lengthen the route. Afterwards, the conditions could be miraculous, like those encountered by François Gabart in the South Atlantic during his round-the-world race, and the record could be beaten says Emmanuel.
th.Martinez
The different records of the solo round the world race
2017 : Francois Gabart - 42 d 16 h 40 min 35 s on board the trimaran Macif
2016: Thomas Coville - 49 d 3 h and 7 min on board the maxi trimaran Sodebo Ultim'
2008 : Francis Joyon -57d, 13h, 34 min and 6 s on board Idec Sport
2005: Ellen MacArthur in 71 d 14 h 18 min 33 s on the 75-foot trimaran B&Q/Castorama
2004: Francis Joyon in 72 d 22 h 54 min and 22 s
